By Simon Nare
Former justice and constitutional development minister Dr Penuell Maduna has denied that a moratorium was imposed on the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes during his tenure, telling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) inquiry that any delays were linked to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) developing a lawful prosecution policy.
Giving evidence on Tuesday before the commission of inquiry chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe, Maduna said there was no official decision to halt investigations or prosecutions while he served as minister from 1999 to 2004.
Instead, he said prosecutors had to wait until the NPA finalised a policy governing the handling of TRC-related cases in line with the Constitution and the law.
Maduna also outlined the resource constraints facing the new democratic government, saying it inherited an under-resourced justice system from the apartheid administration while experienced personnel were leaving the public service.
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